Peer-reviewed articles are considered reliable. Peer review involves review of an
author’s research paper by experts in the same field to confirm its validity. You can
check the peer-reviewed status of an article through the Criminology Collection
database.
Papers must cite at least five peer-reviewed articles. Your articles cannot be more
than ten years old. The text is not a peer-reviewed article.
Cite the source for any facts, statistics, dates, ideas, theories, or research. Provide
documentation for information that is not common knowledge (see 8.1, 8.24).
All papers must be in Word and must conform to the America Psychological Association (APA)
format (Seventh Edition).
Grammar will be a factor in your grade. I have provided Writing Guidance in course Resources
for your review.
You cannot use direct quotations. You can only paraphrase.
Provide the articles you rely upon when submitting your paper. Highlight the material
paraphrased.
You can only cite primary sources (see 8.6 and 8.23).
Do not cite an abstract or the headnotes, i.e., the initial portion before the opinion begins, of a
case.
I will stop grading a paper when the number of errors will result in a failing grade. I will return
the paper and allow resubmission. You have two opportunities to resubmit each paper.
Your topics must be specific, e.g., “Racial Profiling” would not be an acceptable topic.
However, “The Financial Impact of Racial Profiling” might be an acceptable topic.
Your writing must be concise. Grammar errors include use of informal language, colloquialisms,
redundant language, jargon, conclusory statements, surplusage, poor word choice, and
abbreviations. (see 4.4, 4.5, 4.8, and 4.9).
All papers must be submitted through Blackboard/SafeAssign and have a SafeAssign score of
less than twenty percent.
First Research Paper
Choose a topic from the first six modules. You are free to choose any aspect of the topic you
find interesting. I must approve the topic. Your first research paper should be five pages in
length. The five pages do not include the reference page. An abstract is not required.